It’s almost the freakin’ weekend, which in Atlanta means time to eat, drink, patio hop, go to a strip club (probably), and pray it doesn’t monsoon. Put this stuff in your Palm Pilot.

EAT YOUR FACE OFFSmokebelly BBQ
This is the new down-home Southern joint in Buckhead from our dude-bestie Trey and the guys behind Tin Lizzy’s. The space is incredible (I especially like the bathroom sign), the drinks are stiff (and there are TWO bars), and the food is BEYOND (read: #ICantEven). I recommend the mini sausage corndogs, fried pickled okra, and smoked trout to start followed by a combo plate (smoked turkey + brisket is my fave) with mac ‘n’ cheese on the side (duh) and a cookie ice cream sandwich for dessert. The best part is that it’s all gluten- and calorie-free. I think.

They also have the best lawn/patio in town and it’s a great place to “nap” if you’ve had too many From the Vine cocktails (vodka watermelon deliciousness).See you there, bishes!

Bar Meatball
Did you know I’m obsessed with meatballs? Well now you do. I had been dying to try Bar Meatball and I finally got to eat the house down this week with my fellow ball-loving pal Kasey. Yes, we tried every single delicious ball and sauce on the menu (I especially loved the sausage and peppers) and basically made ball puns throughout the entire meal (it didn’t hurt that we were talking about dudes). I highly recommend this place. Oh, and they have cookie ice cream sammies, too.

STDs!
That’s save-the-dates, you weirdos. Next Thursday, June 12, is an ahhhhh-mazing Sip and Shop soiree at Bella Bag (remember our handbag challenges?). First of all, there will be free champagne (duh). Second of all, EVERYONE who attends gets a gift –- there will be gift cards up to $1,000 (!?), Chanel earrings, and so much more. Not to mention, you can shop the showroom with all the handbags (Chanel, Celine, Gucci, Prada, LV, Balenciage, etc.) at 30-70% off retail. I mean, need I say more? Didn’t think so.

Then, the next night……is the ATLANTA MOON RIDE! Friends, this is seriously one of my favorite things I’ve ever done in Atlanta. Here’s how it’s going down on Friday the 13th: You’ll get to Park Tavern with your bike around 8 p.m. Have a few dranks, socialize, point and laugh at all our ridiculous friends in their stupid costumes. Then at 10 p.m., we set off with APD escorting us for a 6.5-mile bike ride through the city streets–Midtown, Little Five Points, Inman Park, etc. On the way, there will be DJ trucks so you can cruise with tunes, wild antics, and (most likely) Jello shots. After a fun and leisurely ride, we’ll end at Park Tavern where there will be a full-on DJ rave/dance party, and if you’re single, you will definitely meet your soulmate and ride off into the starry night. Oh, and 100% of the proceeds go to Bert’s Big Adventure, so you’ll be helping make dreams come true for terminally ill children. If you don’t have a bike, the Moon Ride has multiple rental partners AND they will even bring the bike to Park Tavern and pick it up for you (how baller is that?). It’s $30 to register and you can use promo code HESS for a few bucks off.